The young men say they tried to explain to him they were waiting for a school bus. The officer arrested three of the players. “We didn’t do nothing,” said Raliek Redd. “We was just trying to go to our scrimmage.”

“You just downtown, minding your own business, and next thing you know, anything can happen,” said Daequon Carelock. The police report says the students were obstructing “pedestrian traffic while standing on a public sidewalk…preventing free passage of citizens walking by and attempting to enter and exit a store…Your complainant gave several lawful clear and concise orders for the group to disperse and leave the area without complaince.”

The boys are not accused of using abusive behavior or obscene language towards the police officer. The boys families had to post $200 bail to get them out of jail.

Their coach Jacob Scott, says that he pleaded with the officer to let the boys go. “He goes on to say, ‘If you don’t disperse, you’re going to get booked as well,'” Scott told WROC. “I said, ‘Sir, I’m the adult. I’m their varsity basketball coach. How can you book me? What am I doing wrong? Matter of fact, what are these guys doing wrong?'”

The boys play for Edison Tech High School. A trial date has been set from December 11.

Another example of living while black? Or just cause by the police officer?

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The Black Youth Project is a platform that highlights the voices and ideas of Black millennials. Through knowledge, voice, and action, we work to empower and uplift the lived experiences of young Black Americans today.